The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-07-01
A MORMON COURTSHEp.

forms; and last night he appeared unto
me. The revelation is fully confirmed.
You must be sealed to the bishop"
ooh, fatherl / do not want to marry a
gray haired old man, with four living
wives"
| heard these words and saw Mary
Walker crouched before her father with
her hands clasped OF his knees, rs | en-
tered the dimly lighted room. 1t was the
home Of a polygamist in Utah. | had
boarded with the family three weeks and
learned to regard the simple minded 49,
year old daughter with q deep affection
born of sympathy. The tone of her plead
ing voice and sorrowfui demeanor had pur-
sued me like u specter before; and when
heard that conversation it chilled my
blood.
Mr.. Walker hastily arose and disappear
ed in the darkness with q troubled express
sian and an inaudible murmnr. Like all
the Saints he was cautions. He tried to
avoid the penalties Of the Edmunds law,
pdn saw nv hiiOtt3iH tpihiittpiSt WIN
its provisions.
Mary sprang TO her feet and tried TO hide
her tear stained, sunburnt face in the re-
cess of the dark curtained window. | ap-
preached and put my arm around her. Her
head involnntarily sank upon my shoulder
and she sobbed, but not one uttcrance Of
complaint came from her priest sealed lips.
resolved to save her from the impend-
ing fate and questioned her of what | had
overheard.
"Yon know" she said, you know il all
HOW. VIII you help me? You are wise
and happy. Can you help me? | am ig-
n%orant, wicked and miserable
She cried bitterly. / could not reply |
passed my arm through hers and W. walk
ed out in the pure night air. We walked
on to the little gate and listened for the
footsteps Of my husband. Not a word had
been spoken after we left the house. Be
side the fence was a clump Of service berry
bushes, under which | had %improyised 4
rustic bench and where | was wont to
spend many happy hours buried in the
white bloom of May and dark green leaves
later in the season. We sat down to wait
for the homeo coming of my husband.
Sidewalks are unknown in 0rderyille.
The cooperative store, blacksmith shop
and the large residence lots all front on
one broad street. Along the rough fences
on either side are we'll worn paths. We
heard the sound of heavy boots on the
stony path; then hoarse voices very near
is at the gate.
elias Mary c~onscntcd?' we heard dis
tinctly; 'has Mary consented to go peace
ably TO the endowment and be sealed to
me?"
"Sho is reluctant, Bishop Dane" replies
the familiar voice of Mary's father. ''She
regard the revelations. She will go.
johanna, l suppose, is perfectly willing to
become my third"
sit is the command of God. My daugh-
ter is to be sealed to you and your daugh-
ter is to be sealed to me. Powell, the
stockman, asked her hand in marriage AID
Johana seems to love him, but in matters
pertaining to the salvation of the soul |
rule my household with a firm hand.
johanna shall be scaled to you. We will go
over Sunday and have done with the cere-
mony."
With innocent eye turned up to me as
the wounded fawn looks at the hunter
when the cruel knife slashes its throat,
Mary clutchcd my skirts in despair. The
arch conspirators parted with a solemn
GOOD bless you, my brother"
We were alone in the mild moonlight.
The trembling child leaned forward and
said in a husky voice:
"Mrs. Newton, what shall | do? God
has commanded the bishop to take me for
his fifth wife, but I cannot love the totter-
ing old man. | love Henry Wells, the
blacksmith. Do you think the salvation
of my life depends upon my compliance
with the revelation"
| ventured to answer that | believed the
bishops revelation to be an imposture.
She looked up, startled. IN her eyes
was a spark | had never noticed before.
Her blind faith in the prophets was de-
stroyed-a faith hat would. have been
sweet il welded to Il noblcr cause. Tho
horror of the unnatural alliance filled the
pure heart with feelings of %revnlsion, and
the true love of Henry Wells argued de-
sertion from the ranks of slavery.
Sunday" said Mary; ''only two days.
They viii compel me to 60. am too
weak to resist the power of the great
church."
| suggested elopement.
mo; we could not find shelter in Utah.
No one would perform The marriage cere-
mony. The destroying angels would as
efiectually, if not as publicly, visit ven
eeance upon us as they did upon DIR. Rob
inson and the Yates brothers n few years
ago. They would have justification to
plead il Henry should take me away from
home and | not his lawful wife,"
Nv husband came from his work and We
returned to the house. After bidding Mary
good nightI asked many questions con-
ceruipg the marriage laws Of Utah and
learned that any form of contract was
leral if made in writing and delivered in
- ...D .nsA.aAQanC No TA0sIG-